Dumbbell with removable covers

ABSTRACT

A dumbbell comprising a first weight having a screw on lid; a second weight member having an aperture for storing personal items; and a padded cross-member which facilitates the holding of the object.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This Application derives priority from U.S. Ser. No. 60/510,927 filedOct. 15, 2003.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to the field of dumbbell covers. Inparticular, the present invention is directed to dumbbells havingremovable covers on both sides which include squeeze halves which coverthe middle bar of the dumbbell.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Millions of people engage in daily exercise in order to stay healthy. Alarge number of people run and exercise with hand held weights. Theseweights facilitate strength and cardiovascular conditioning, as theindividual swings his or her arms. The invention makes dumbbells morefun, colorful and convenient, so adults, young people and children willutilize them and exercise, including walking and jogging more frequentlyand easily.

A number of patents have issued to the area of dumbbell covers. U.S.Pat. No. D 343,660 is directed towards the ornamental design for acombined dumbbell and container, as shown and described in the patent.U.S. Pat. No. 4,997,184 is directed to a travel dumbbell consisting oftwo end plates positioned between at least one water fillable weight oneach end of an elongated bar for support and stabilization. A collar isremovably mounted on each end of the bar to retain the end plates andthe at least one water fillable weight on each end of the bar. Acarrying case is also provided and sized to receive at least onedisassembled travel dumbbell therein.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,712,794 discloses a jogger's fluid weighted exercisingjug having a handle and fluid weight chambers to each side or endthereof and a dispensing connection actuatable by the teeth of thejogger to partake of a nutritional liquid from within the jug withouthaving to stop jogging. The overall geometric configuration of the juggenerally resembles a dumbbell.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,946 is directed to a variable resistance refillableexercise apparatus including a generally hollow container having anouter surface and an interior volume, top and bottom generally bulbousend sections and a reduced circumference waist section between the endsections such that the container is generally dumbbell-shaped. Acontainer fill opening is formed in the container extending between theouter surface and interior volume for filling the container with fluidsand/or solids, and a cap is provided for removably sealing the containerfill opening. A handle extends between and connects the top and bottomgenerally bulbous end sections, the handle including a gripping devicesuch as finger-shaped depressions for facilitating gripping of thehandle. A weight scale is printed on the container, the weight scaleincluding a plurality of generally parallel lines and at least oneweight amount marking adjacent the lines, the weight scale facilitatingmeasurement of a specific amount of fluid and/or solids within thecontainer to determine the amount of resistance to lifting thecontainer. Finally, a strap is detachably and adjustably mounted on thecontainer whereby the container may be removably attached to a user ofthe exercise apparatus.

While there have been a number of dumbbell covers, none provideabilities to both provide storage areas and to increase the weight ofthe dumbbells with weighted inserts.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a dumbbell supportsystem which enables the dumbbell to hold a variety of personal itemssuch as money.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a dumbbell whichprovide for the addition of more weight.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide, a dumbbellwhich is marked to provide safety for the user.

These and other objects of the present invention will become clear fromthe detailed description which follows.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed to a dumbbell with removablecovers on both sides and polyurethane foam squeeze halves coveringmiddle region. The invention will make dumbbells more fun, colorful andconvenient by allowing personal items to be stored in the dumbbell whileusing it for walking, jogging, and the like.

In accordance with the invention, a dumbbell comprising a first weighthaving a screw on lid; a second weight member having an aperture forstoring personal items; and a padded cross-member which facilitates theholding of the object.

In a further embodiment, the invention is a dumbbell comprising a firstweight having a screw on lid; a second weight member having an aperturefor storing personal items; and a padded cross-member which facilitatesthe holding of the object.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIGS. 1 to 1 b are perspective views of the dumbbells of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 2 and 2 b are perspective views of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention which illustratesthe mechanisms for holding items.

FIGS. 4 a and 4 b are exploded views of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is directed to make the covers of the two sides ofa dumbbell removable so as to facilitate the addition of added weight.The present invention is specifically directed to a hand held dumbbell10 having brightly colored plastic covers 12. The dumbbells havereflective plastic paper strips 14 which make holding the inventionwhile walking at night safe using the present invention.

A critical feature of the invention is the inclusion of storage areas 16where users of the invention can put personal belongings including keys,wallets, flashlights, cell phones, snacks and money. Further, smallchildren can insert small toys, little books, crayons and flashinglighting rings and objects powered by batteries. The storage areas maybe covered by screw on caps 18.

In the preferred embodiment, the central bar 20 is covered with apolyurethane foam squeeze material 22 and comprises two halves. The usercan buy the material separately and attach them to the middle of thestick. The user of the invention allows the users to squeeze thiswrapping when they are walking or jogging.

The invention envisions multiple sizes including regular, small and evenminiature. One size may be adapted for males and females aged twelve andup, the second smaller sized for children aged six through eleven, themini sized ones may be used by preschoolers. The invention is preferablyconstructed from solid cast-iron coated with vinyl or other painted orcolored layers. The diameter of the stick is inches and the length ofthe middle stick should be such that it can be held and supported by thehand of the user.

The diameter of the drum on each is should preferably be 3 to 6 inchesthe height of the drum is 3 to 4 inches in width. In addition, smallweights around four pounds can be added into a second removable area.The invention preferably weighs between two and five pounds, thediameter of the middle bar is preferable wide enough to and ofsufficient diameter to support the hands of multiple users.

For all sizes, there is spiral threading 21 on the outside of the drumat each side (so the plastic covers can be screwed down over the drum).The color of the inner drum is preferably one of a plurality of colors,the top two-thirds of the external surface, including the middle stick,such as green, orange, white, silver, etc. Red is a preferred color forsafety reasons. If the plastic cover is not screwed down to the end ofthe spiral thread, the red color would be exposed to remind the user totighten the cover.

The plastic covers may comprise brightly colored plastic covers withspiral threading along the inside of the round collar. This enables thecover may be screwed down to cover the drum on either side. In apreferred embodiment, two circular reflective strips 40 may be glued tothe cover, one is on the face of the cover, the other one is on theround collar. This can make the people holding the invention safe duringnights. The circular edge between the cover face and the round collar isalso curved to prevent sharp edges.

The middle bar is covered with polyurethane foam squeeze ball material,divided into two halves 25 with back glue. Wax paper covers the backglue. Users can simply peel off the wax paper and attach a half to themiddle stick of the system, then, attach the other half to the middlebar 20.

In one embodiment plastic covers can be doubled and tripled. The heightof the covers will typically be twice or three times as high as theregular cover, so people can store more items or bigger objects in thedrum on each side of the invention. Inner vertical strips on the upperpart of the double up and triple up covers prevent people from using theextra space to store weight disc rings for safety reasons.

The invention can further include a cartoon and action figures, companylogos, maps, personal names, etc. Inside the circular reflective stripof the cover on each side is the area for the users to decorate thecover with stickers. The invention includes two oval warning stickerswhich are attached to the external surface of the collar of the drum oneach side to remind the user to put that side upward when unscrewing thecover on that side and to warn that no children under three years of ageshould use this equipment.

The device can also include musical trinkets, toys and light flashingobjects 42 which can fit into the drums on each side to make little kidslike to hold the invention and exercise. As shown in FIG. 4 b, theinvention can also include one, two, three or four pound disks 38. Thesecan be placed on each side of the drums when the middle bar is removedor uncoupled.

The invention can also include hook-up rings 36 with hooks: metal ringswhich fit the external surface of the drum and have hooks which can behooked to restrain dogs, purses, etc. When using the hook-up rings,screw down the ring along the spiral threading outside of the drum oneach side before putting on the plastic cover.

An emergency kit can be placed in the drum on either side. The inventioncan include a special-shaped plastic cover. The shape could be companylogos, turtle backs, Texas map, space ship, etc. A plurality ofcustom-made covers can be used as souvenirs, given to employees andcustomers by big corporations, governments, schools, social andcharitable organizations, churches and clubs. The invention can behooked with the hook-up ring, so people can carry the device over theirshoulders. If two hook-up rings are attached, one on each side, thedevice could be used as a purse carried over the shoulders.

The present invention has been described with reference to the enclosedpreferred embodiment. It is to be appreciated that the true nature andscope of the invention is to be determined with reference to claimsappended hereto.

1. A dumbbell comprising a first weight having a screw on lid; a secondweight member having an aperture for storing personal items; and apadded cross-member which facilitates the holding of the object.
 2. Adumbbell comprising a first weight having a screw on lid; a secondweight member having an aperture for storing personal items; and apadded cross-member which facilitates the holding of the object.
 3. Theweight system of claim 1 further comprising a safety crating.
 4. Theweight system of claim 1 further comprising at least one area for theaddition of further weights.
 5. A dumbbell comprising a first weightedend having a first screw on section for holding and storing personalitems and a second screw on section for securing additional weights; asecond weight end having a screw on section defining a section forholding and storing for storing personal items and a second section forsecuring additional weights; and a padded cross-member which facilitatesthe holding of the object; and means attached to at least one of thefirst or second weighted end to hold and secure.